VOCs & pesticides
Tetrachloroethylene in U.S. tap water
121 public water systems across 11 U.S. states report Tetrachloroethylene in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 4 sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
An industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing.
Why it's regulated
A likely human carcinogen; long-term exposure above the federal limit can damage the liver and kidneys.
At or above the federal limit (4)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lukins Brothers Water Company — South Lake Tahoe, Ca, CA 2022 annual report | 0–71 ug/L | 14.2× the limit |
| California Domestic Water Company — Whittier, Ca, CA 2021 annual report | 17.7 ug/L | 3.5× the limit |
| California Domestic Water Company — Whittier, Ca, CA 2020 annual report | 16.2 ug/L | 3.2× the limit |
| San Joaquin County-mokelumne Acres — Stockton, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 0–15.5 ug/L | 3.1× the limit |
Approaching the limit (2)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lynwood Park Mutual Water Co. — Compton, Ca, CA 2020 annual report | 4.4 ug/L | 0.9× the limit |
| Lynwood Park Mutual Water Co. — Compton, Ca, CA 2021 annual report | 4.3 ug/L | 0.9× the limit |
Within the federal limit (111)
Showing 50 of 111. The full list is in the JSON API.
Frequently asked
+What is Tetrachloroethylene?
An industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. A likely human carcinogen; long-term exposure above the federal limit can damage the liver and kidneys.
+What is the federal limit for Tetrachloroethylene in drinking water?
The federal MCL for Tetrachloroethylene is 5 ug/L. The EPA enforces this against the regulated reporting statistic (typically a running annual average or 90th percentile), not a single-sample spike.
+How many U.S. water systems have Tetrachloroethylene over the federal limit?
4 of the 121 public water systems on The Water Map report Tetrachloroethylene at or above its federal limit, spanning 11 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if Tetrachloroethylene is in my city's tap water?
Search your city on The Water Map (https://www.thewatermap.com/) or browse the list on this page. Every U.S. public water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report that lists every contaminant it measured, including Tetrachloroethylene.